Several CPAT Agents are also deputized U.S. Marshals with the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Taskforce as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)/Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Violent Offender Fugitive Taskforce. Once Agents successfully complete the POST course, they will be authorized to carry a Colt M4 Commando Carbine for duty use.

The patrol rifle course was hosted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Firearms Training staff, with Corporals K. Fries and J. Iniguez providing instruction, and with the assistance of CPAT Tactical Firearms Instructors D. Simon, E. Sanchez, R. Gonsalves and K. Thomas.

Instructors began the course with the required classes regarding the law and policies that we operate under. Class continued with demonstrations for the proper utilization of the Carbine in a variety of circumstances, and how CPAT agents can use this tool most effectively.

Once the class made it out to the range, many demonstrations were provided and agents were expected to properly perform each learned skill.

Guillermo Viera Rosa, Director of the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), impresses upon his staff to lead not by command, but by example. He attended the course and performed skills alongside CPAT team members, wearing 3A body armor and level-4 ceramic plates, all while the summer heat topped 100 degrees.

Agents were expected to perform drills including standing, kneeling and prone shooting, as well as shooting on the move and utilizing cover while shooting from behind barricades. Team members conducted “cover/up” drills in which a pair of agents would coordinate covering each other while their partner was clearing malfunctions or reloading.

Team members also conducted transition drills, demonstrating a seamless switch between carbine and handgun.

Agents competed in the “king of the hill” shoot-off to determine the most accurate rifleman in the group.

Senior CPAT Agent Manny Viramontes showed new team members a thing or two, proving to be the group’s top shot.

At the end of the class, each agent was required to pass the POST rifle qualification course before being certified. Once POST certified, they will also be required to pass a demanding quarterly departmental tactical rifle course.

It was a comprehensive and demanding course, and many thanks were extended to the San Bernardino Sheriff Department for their hospitality.